Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 10-11-16 Online Edition

Features
Nigerian Author Writes Book On His Arrival To America
Woman Seeks To
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Okey Ndibe was born in Yola, Nigeria. His father was a postal worker, and his mother, a teacher. His early life in Nigeria was marked by the Bi- afran War. At the end of the war, Ndibe finished his ele- mentary school education in the town of Enugwu Ukwu, and attended St. Michael’s secondary School, Nimo, in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ndibe worked in Nigeria as a journalist and magazine edi- tor, and came to the United States in 1988 at the invitation of famous Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe. In this country, Ndibe helped to es- tablish African Commen- tary, a magazine described as award winning.
But it was his arrival in this country 27 years ago that the 56-year-old author wants to share.
“I was very excited to be vis- iting America for the first time. I had so many plans of things I wanted to do, and places I wanted to see. How- ever, all of that was put on hold.
pen.
“I’ve recovered from that
experience, and was able to put it all in stride. I was also asked stupid questions like how do Africans come to this country with no airports in Africa. I laughed and told him we walked across the backs of crocodiles to get here. He ac- tually believed that story. There were so many stereo- types of Africans I had to over- come.”
Ndibe said things have changed since then with more Americans traveling to Africa and getting educated on the culture.
“I’ve become a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and I’ve done some writing for a few publications as well as a lot of book reviews.
“I met Andre White, a newspaper owner from At- lanta, Georgia, and he’s made it possible for me to appear on his radio show.”
Ndibe said he travels to Nigeria at least twice a year to share his experiences, and he has two siblings living here and two in Nigeria with his mother.
Those Incarcerated
Connect Spouses Of
To Provide Support
From left to right: Okey Ndibe and Mr. and Mrs. Andre (Joyce) White.
“On my 13th day in this country, I was arrested by po- lice who said I fit the descrip- tion of a man they were seeking for bank robbery. I was later cleared, but that was my first encounter with Amer- ican law enforcement offi- cials.”
That experience, as well as other interesting encounters, inspired him to write the book, “Never Look An Ameri- can In The Eye.”
“The book is my perspective of life in this country, and the struggles I’ve endured. That’s when I was taught to never look an American in the eye, because this is what can hap-
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Mrs. Margaretta Taylor
launched a program earlier this year, to help spouses of in- carcerated men to cope with the many challenges that the separation brings.
“My main goal is to connect women that have experienced, or who are currently experi- encing the ins and outs of sup- porting a loved one in the prison system. This experience has been challenging, yet re- warding. I’ve learned a lot about myself, family and friends, and I feel the need to share my insight with anyone about to embark on this crazy journey.”
She further said, “I under- stand the isolation, rejection, and everything that comes with making the decision to support a loved one incarcer- ated. The trials and tribula- tions we have been through have molded us both into stronger people, and in turn, made us stronger for each other.”
Mrs. Taylor is asking everyone to join her organiza- tion as they rally nationwide with millions for prisoners for the Human Rights March On Washington on August 19, 2017.
MRS. MARGARETTA TAYLOR ...Founder of “Husbands
Behind Bars, How Do You Cope?”
“We will march on Wash- ington to bring a world atten- tion to the continued slavery and involuntary servitude in America, enabled by the 13th Amendment and to highlight the ever-increasing movement against the prison industrial complex.
“We need your help to spread the word. I am your local Rep. for organizing a committee to educate and get the word out.”
To learn more about the or- ganization or the planned rally, visit “Husbands Behind Bars, How Do You Cope?” on face- book. You can contact Mrs. Taylor by email at husbands- behindbars2015@gmail.com.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2016